After posting about my hiatus on the 26th of May, I received several emails asking what the beautiful beach photo was. The answer: the Intercontinental Beachcomber Resort on Tahiti, which frankly was just an airport hotel. I was on an award trip during which I spent a whopping 670,000 miles and points, including: 290,000 American Airlines miles (2 first class tickets to Tahiti, Australia, and back on Air Tahiti Nui and Qantas); 176,000 Starwood points for a 5th night free award at Bora Bora Nui; 60,000 Priority Club points for 2 nights at the Intercontinental Tahiti; 24,000 Priority Club points for a night at the Intercontinental Sydney (during a 20% off award sale); and several other redemptions. After a flight to Seattle in Alaska first class, a stay at the W Seattle, then down to…
Heh
Jun
17
2005
Via David Rowell, 280 fully armed soldiers boarded a chartered DC10 to fly from Atlanta to Kuwait. M-16s, pistols, bayonets and knives were everywhere. But, as the soldiers made their way through airport security, they had to surrender nose hair clippers, pocket knives and cigarette lighters.
Free HHonors Points
Jun
17
2005
500 free Hilton points for filling out a 7 question marketing survey. Points post instantly. Hat tip to Free Frequent Flyer Miles.
Hiatus
Cathay Pacific Visa for Canadians
May
24
2005
Canadians can get a Cathay Pacific Visa Platinum card from RBC Bank. The annual fee is stiff at CA$150, but the card earns 1 AsiaMile per Canadian dollar spent — pretty good earning — on top of the 5000 AsiaMiles with first purchase. The AsiaMiles program permits upgrading on British Airways and American in addition to Cathay Pacific, and some of its awards are incredible values. 60,000 AsiaMiles buys you a business class award of less than 5000 miles each way. That would yield a British Airways ticket from the U.S. East Coast to most destinations in Europe. American charges 50,000 miles in coach for that. AsiaMiles is my program of choice for transferring eBay Anything Points, by the way, since 1 eBay point yields slightly more than 1 AsiaMile.
Gulf Air Offers Triple Miles Promo
May
24
2005
Gulf Air is offering triple miles through June 15 on several routesThe offer is valid for Economy Class travel from Abu Dhabi or Dubai to: Bahrain, Beirut, Frankfurt, Kuwait, London and Paris; from Bahrain to: Abu Dhabi, Beirut, Dubai, Frankfurt, Kuwait, London and Paris; from Doha to: Bahrain, Beirut, Dubai, Frankfurt, Kuwait, London and Paris, and from Muscat to: Abu Dhabi, Bahrain, Beirut, Dubai, Frankfurt, Kuwait, London and Paris between 16 May and 15 June 2005.
Virgin Atlantic Gets Aggressive in Australia
May
24
2005
Virgin Atlantic is offering double points and elite status matches, sensing an opportunity to poach frustrated Qantas flyers.
25% Off Starwood Award Redemption for Platinums — AGAIN
May
24
2005
In the middle of the month, Starwood ran a promotion offering 25% off hotel night award redemption for platinum members. They apparently had some bumps in notifying members (though readers of this blog were well-informed). As a result, they’ve extended the offer. Via Starwood Lurker on Flyertalk:[T]hrough midnight Eastern US time on Monday, May 30th, Platinum members can make their plans online at spg.com and then call the Platinum Concierge line to make use of the FRED redemption code for a 25% off savings. The same Terms and Conditions apply that were in effect previously. This is for award stays booked through Wednesday, August 31st only.
A Repository of Information You’ll Find on This Site and Elsewhere
May
22
2005
QUICK PATHS TO STATUS American Airlines elite challenges, where you can earn status with only a little bit of flying. Delta Silver Status with a Single Flight Instant Hilton Gold status 2 United Red Carpet Club passes and Starwood Gold status for $10 ADVICE Myths and Reality Obtaining Airline Upgrades Upgrading at Hotels (by the way, here’s how to ask for the Presidential Suite). Whose Miles are the Most Valuable? Why you should spend all your miles now, and then earn more Dealing with Jetlag Best Mileage Earning Credit Cards How to find the best airfare deals How to find the best hotel deals Redeem your Priority Club points for the Presidential Suite at various Intercontinental hotels. HUMOR Tips for fighting terrorism You know you think about miles too much when… MILEAGE BONUSES 30 United…
Bonus Points for Hilton Stays
May
21
2005
Register by May 31 to earn 1000 bonus points on each of your next three Hilton stays between June 13 and September 30. You need to be a National Car Rental Emerald Club member, you can join with the $50 fee waived here.
